Provincial Resources
Ontario
Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBECs)
Provide resources and expert advice to entrepreneurs and small businesses. Ontario’s 47 SBECs offer services such as one-on-one consultations, guidance on permits and registrations, access to funding information, and various workshops and networking events to help businesses start and grow.
FedDev Ontario – Small Business Services
Helps entrepreneurs in Southern Ontario access consolidated federal and provincial government information to plan, start, expand, or exit a business. SBS reduces the complexity of navigating multiple levels of government to foster well-informed decisions and promote business success.
FedNor support for businesses
This organization provides financing, information, and connections to businesses in Northern Ontario. It supports economic growth and diversification by helping with business start-ups and expansions, technology adoption, and enhanced market access.
Community Futures
Ontario’s Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs), 60 in total across the province, provide free business counseling, loans for new or expanding small businesses, and strategic planning for community economic development in rural areas. They are represented by Community Futures Ontario.
British Columbia
A federal agency that drives economic growth and diversification in British Columbia and Yukon. It provides funding to local businesses and organizations to foster innovation and create jobs. It also helps partners access investment and grow their reach in both domestic and international markets.
A provincial Crown agency that promotes innovation and technology commercialization to foster economic growth and create jobs in British Columbia. It supports startups and entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship, and resources to help them launch and scale their businesses.
WorkBC.ca assists small businesses in British Columbia with recruitment and workforce development. A key resource for employers is the B.C. Employer Training Grant, which helps small businesses fund skills training for new or current employees. This support aims to boost productivity and secure jobs.
An economic development agency that provides business financing to small and medium enterprises in rural British Columbia. It offers an alternative to traditional banks for businesses facing challenges accessing credit. Using different lending criteria, the agency provides loans of up to $150,000.
Alberta
PrairiesCan is a federal department that promotes and diversifies the economy of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. PrairiesCan makes strategic investments in initiatives that support business, innovation, and community economic development. Funding is provided to not-for-profit organizations.
Business Link is a government-funded, non-profit organization that offers free, one-on-one advice, resources, and programs to help small businesses in Alberta start, grow, and succeed. They provide a range of services, including business planning tools, market research, and digital marketing support. Business
PBSN is a group of independent organizations funded by PrairiesCan. It provides business information and support services to entrepreneurs in the Prairie region. The network offers a variety of resources, including an online database for information from federal, provincial, municipal, and non-government sources.
A network of non-profit organizations, supported by the federal government, that promotes economic development and provides resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs in Alberta’s rural and remote communities. They offer services like business coaching, financial support, and business planning assistance.
Saskatchewan
SAIF provides non-repayable grants to fund research and development projects in Saskatchewan’s core industries, such as mining, energy, manufacturing, processing, and healthcare. Projects must involve industry partners and address a specific industry challenge in Saskatchewan to be considered for funding.
A network of university-related research and technology parks that supports the growth of Saskatchewan’s advanced technology sector. it offers flexible spaces, high-performance networks, incubators, and labs to foster collaboration, entrepreneurship, and the commercialization of new technologies.
SK Startup Institute is a no-fee service for entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan who want to start or expand a business. The institute offers expert support in areas like business planning, financial management, and marketing. It also provides resources like funding, mentorship, and networking.
A federally funded, non-profit network of regional organizations that provides loans, strategic planning, business tools, business coaching, and community economic development services to support small businesses and entrepreneurs in rural and northern areas of the province.
Manitoba
A government-provided resource suite for local businesses. Its Business Development Team offers consultations, training, and information on funding. The Value Added Branch assists food and agri-product businesses with supply chain management and market access.
The WTC Winnipeg supports entrepreneurship and trade in Manitoba. It helps local businesses prepare for trade both domestically and internationally by providing a variety of services and facilitates events to support and grow the Manitoba business community.
The IGP provides eligible small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Manitoba with cost-shared, non-repayable grants of up to $100,000 for projects focused on commercializing innovative products or processes. Applicants must provide non-government funding to qualify for the 50/50 cost-share program.
CFM represents 16 Community Futures organizations (CFs) across rural and northern Manitoba. These grassroots organizations assist communities by developing long-term strategies, coordinating resources, and promoting regional opportunities. CFs also business loans up to $150,000.
Nova Scotia
ACOA is a federal government department that promotes economic development in Atlantic Canada by supporting businesses and communities to innovate, become more competitive, and create jobs. It provides funding, resources, and strategic support to help businesses grow and diversify local economies.
A crown corporation and business development agency that support businesses through services like raising capital, providing export development and incubation support, attracting international investment, and helping start-ups commercialize technology.It also manages the Nova Scotia First Fund, which provides venture capital to deep technology start-ups.
The Program provides loan guarantees to Nova Scotia’s credit unions and their members for starting, buying, or expanding a business in the province. Designed to support small businesses with big ideas by helping to create and maintain rewarding careers for Nova Scotians, it offers financing up to $500,000.
BBI is a partnership between the federal and provincial governments that provides micro-loans and financing to Black-owned businesses. As Canada’s longest-serving business development initiative for the Black community, it aims to create a more inclusive and prosperous business landscape
New Brunswick
A network of non-profit organizations in rural Atlantic Canada that support local economic development by providing financial assistance (loans, loan guarantees, equity financing), business counselling, and technical guidance to help small businesses start, grow, and modernize. As part of Canada’s Community Futures Program, CBDCs aim to foster entrepreneurship.
New Brunswick, Nexus Finance is a private provider that offers various financing options for small and medium-sized businesses in New Brunswick, including unsecured term loans, merchant cash advances, and invoice factoring. It is not a traditional bank, but rather an alternative lender focused on providing quick and flexible funding solutions.
Opportunities NB is New Brunswick’s lead business development agency. It helps New Brunswick businesses navigate the province’s business landscape and regulations, grow with customized business support, and export products and services to new markets worldwide. The agency also works directly with international investors to attract new investment and create jobs.
A federal- provincial government program designed to help New Brunswick employers invest in their workforce. This initiative provides non-repayable funding, which covers a significant portion of the training costs for employees. The grant’s primary objective is to help businesses develop the in-demand skills required to remain competitive and adapt to a changing economy.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Provides non-repayable contributions to help businesses with activities such as innovation, commercialization, productivity improvement, and expanding into international markets. The program supports local businesses in starting, scaling, and improving their competitiveness through various initiatives focused on development, knowledge, and technical assistance.
A provincial initiative that provides repayable term loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to help them increase their capital, leverage private investment, and fund expansion with export potential. The program offers financing at an interest rate tied to the Bank of Canada rate plus a margin and aims to supplement other funding sources to strengthen businesses.
The Department of Industry, Energy and Technology provides non-repayable contributions to incorporated, non-profit organizations for economic development projects. The Regional Development Fund has two components: the Regional Development Program and Community Capacity Building which support economic diversification in regions and communities.
A provincial initiative that guarantees loans of up to $100,000 for full-service restaurants struggling with emergency debt. The guarantee, provided by the government, reduces the risk for financial institutions, making it easier for restaurants to get loans for existing obligations. Key features include a 10-year repayment term, a maximum interest rate of commercial Prime + 2%.